For as long as kickboxing has been around, many promotions and organisations have standardized their own set of rules in their kickboxing organisation. K-1 kickboxing is a fast-paced modern style of kickboxing formed from the promotion K-1 global.

K-1 was established back in 1993 as a martial arts organisation and martial arts brand. Since then, it has become a worldwide organisation known for its heavyweight division fights.

Global Holdings Limited was created in January 2012 and has the rights to K-1. This means that the company organises all current K-1 events across the world.

So, What is K1?

As suggested above, K-1 originally was a Japanese kickboxing organisation that started in 1993 and was one of the most recognized promotions globally. They would get the best fighters around the world to meet on their platform.

K-1 organisation offered explosive fights with their 3 x 3-minute rounds that would make the fighters give their all in each round. However, over the years many UK fight shows called their kickboxing K-1.

This was causing a lot of confusion with the kickboxing fans as it was a K1 style as the same rules in the K-1 organisation. The term (K1) has now formed its own style in the kickboxing community and most clubs have a K1 class.

What is the History of K1 Kickboxing?

K-1 kickboxing was established in 1993, however, its predecessor style, Seidokaikan Karate, was formed in 1980. Seidokaikan Karate was originally created by Kazuyoshi Ishii who practiced Kyokushin karate originally.

Although K-1 kickboxing is entirely different from Seidokaikan Karate, it originally used the rules based on Kyokushin Knockdown karate.

However, this developed into more kickboxing-focused rules as the sport progressed. From this, Ishii founded the K-1 organisation as an exclusive kickboxing organisation.

What is the difference between K1 and kickboxing?

Kickboxing has various styles like point fighting, semi-contact, light continuous, full contact, and K1, which is also referred to as Dutch style kickboxing. Read our article about the different kickboxing styles and which countries produce the best fighters here.

The term kickboxing is usually associated with Western American full-contact kickboxing which would be all strikes above the waist except for sweeps.

No knees or clinching were allowed in full contact and a championship fight would be up to 12 rounds. In K1 you can do all the strikes as in full contact kickboxing but leg kicks, knees are allowed and a K-1 fight would be over 3×3 minute rounds.

Is K1 better than kickboxing?

It is not necessary that K1 is better, but In the U.K, K1 kickboxing has become much more popular especially on fight shows.

The 3 round fights seem to keep the spectators more gripped to the fight and it seems to go well with a K1 and MMA themed night. There is not many promotions that have full contact kickboxing fights.

Is K1 just another name for Muay Thai?

No, the best way to describe K1 is it has the best moves and rules taken from both full-contact kickboxing and Muay Thai to develop a more hybrid of the fight.

In Muay Thai you can keep your opponent in a constant clinch but in K1 you can only clinch while you throw a strike like a knee, then you must release. With this rule, it will keep the fighters more active.

Is K1 Popular for Women?

Yes, K1 kickboxing is a popular sport for women too, with professional female fighters getting more and more coverage.

What equipment is used in K1 kickboxing?

K1 uses the same size 10oz boxing gloves as in full contact kickboxing, boxing, and Muay Thai competitions. In professional K1 bouts, no shin protection is worn. In amateur bouts, fighters generally wear the elasticated shin instep guards as the sock-style design makes them very comfortable, rather than the larger leather Muay Thai shin guards.

K1 fighters wear satin shorts similar to Muay Thai shorts but with more of a kickboxing theme or design.

What Different K-1 Events Are There?

There have been many K1 events held over the years in different countries. Some of these countries are Japan (1993–2012, 2014-2020), Netherlands (1994, 2001–2003, 2006–2010), France (1995, 2002–2008, 2010), United States (1998, 2000–2008, 2012), Serbia (2016) and so many more!